## World Overview

### Geographic Summary

Conliah is the main continent on the world of Arborgard. It is bordered by two oceans: the Talantic Ocean to the east, and the Acivic Ocean to the west. The Yargyez Empire has divided the continent into eight provinces, each one the homeland of a distinct race:

- Eastgardia is a temperate coastal valley, and the heart of the Yargyez Empire. It is the homeland of all humans.
- Helscar is a land of icy highlands to the north. It is the homeland of the dwarves.
- Valorgale is made of volcanically active barrens to the northwest. It is the homeland of the dark elves.
- Middlestone has endless fertile planes at the very center of Conliah. It is the homeland of the halflings.
- Thunderhome is a marsh to the southeast. It is the homeland of the lizardfolk.
- Wuthelark is a land of deserts and jungles to the south. It is the homeland of the catfolk.
- Westerwood is made of dense, old growth forest. It is the homeland of the wood elves.
- Fair Island is a massive tropical island to the southwest. It is the homeland of the high elves.

Until very recently, denizens of Conliah believed they were the only continent on a world filled with water. Recently this was proven incorrect by raiders from the east from a continent called Lodumpis.

### Cosmological Summary

There are three realms:

- The Asteric Plane is a realm composed of fine soul material, and very little elemental substance. It is the residence of the Agathoi (good gods) and where souls rest between transmigratory cycles.
- The Cthonic Plane is a realm composed of very degraded soul material, and huge amounts of elemental substance. It is the residence of the Infernal Archons (evil gods) and their minions.
- The Material Plane has moderation in the quality and quantity of soul material and elemental substance. It is coterminous with the world of Arborgard. The most prominent continent on Arborgard is Conliah.

It is impossible for mortal beings to freely navigate the Asteric and Cthonic Planes. They can only navigate to spherical subrealms which mortals can, under certain circumstances, phase into. Examples of such circumstances are:

- Naturally, between transmigratory cycles;
- Perceptually, as a vision granted by the divine;
- Intentionally, through powerful magic.

Mortals cannot typically access Asteric spheres. The gods strictly forbid them from access to this realm, so phasing into them typically only happens after death, between incarnations.

In between transmigratory cycles, mortals occupy various Asteric spheres which correspond to their moral conduct in life:

- Neutral lives: their sphere is like a blank, still space for introspection.
- Virtuous lives: the soul is rewarded temporarily by beauty, harmony, and joy.
- Wicked lives: the soul is punished to atone for their actions.

Some legendary individuals are said to have witnessed the Asteric Plane during life, but these are exceptional circumstances.

Phasing into Cthonic spheres is much more common. The gods have a weaker hold here, so mortals can phase there through magical rituals much more easily. The exact nature of these spheres vary dramatically:

- Some are formless spheres of raw elements
- Others are domains shaped by Infernal Archons reflecting their natures:
    - Igedeng (Moonmaze): An endless maze of hedges in a world of eternal moonlit night, and ever-present whispering.
    - Dreze (Crucible of Tears): A land of barren, wind-swept hills dotted with crumbling ruins. Tremendous chains stretch across the land, intended to hold beings of a size beyond mortal comprehension.
    - Lozie (Screaming Theater): A giant island which floats suspended in the air, covered by a circus tent. Shows are performed which are incomprehensible to their viewers.
    - Lundazing (Cinderthrone): A landscape of obsidian and lava, where the air is thick with smog. Ruins of castles and destroyed statues dot the landscape.
    - Ogzim (Starless Abyss): There is no land here, only an immense ocean covering the entire sphere. The sky is pitch black, and even the light of fire seems to be absorbed into the void.

### Global Themes

The Yargyez Empire has ruled Conliah for centuries, securing peace and stability. Yet, signs of weakness are showing and the empire is fraying at the edges. The outer provinces have successfully struggled for  greater degrees of autonomy, infernal cults have started appearing out of nowhere, and ancient secrets long buried are being unearthed. Nobody thinks the empire can fall, but everybody feels it. For now, the empire maintains its hold by force, but it no longer has the legitimacy it needs for lasting peace. It is under these circumstances that you adventure forward in search of fortune.

### Factions at a Glance

- The Yargyez Empire - The dominant political force on the continent
- Loyalist Guard - The private guard and enforcers of the emperor.
- The Uzvu Confederation - A coalition between Orc warlords, Goblin traders and craftsmen, and Ogre manual laborers and soldiers.
- The Mages Guild - The largest magical organization on the continent.
- The Thieves Guild - Underground network of thieves and fences.
- The Assassins Guild - Underground network of paid assassins.
- The Fighters Guild - Legal mercenaries who help the public with odd jobs.
- The Philosophers Guild - Secretive magical organization dedicated to philosophical magic (Asteric+Internal).
- Infernal cults - Servants of Infernal Archons who seek to expand their influence in exchange for their dark power.
